Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has launched an investigation into allegations of tender corruption at the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) following a tip off from a whistleblower that officials at the entity have awarded tenders worth R800-million to their associates after the executives mishandled the bidding process.
Transport spokesperson, Collen Msibi, confirmed that Greecy has launched the investigation into the matter.
“We can confirm that earlier this week, the ministry received an anonymous letter regarding allegations of tender irregularities at RTMC. The letter was addressed to among others the minister, the public protector, and the RTMC board. We can also confirm that on Monday, the 5th of August 2024, the minister will officially request the RTMC board to investigate the veracity of these allegations and provide a preliminary report in this regard,” he said in a written statement.
If these allegations are found to have merit, said Msibi, Creecy will request the RTMC board to institute a full investigation and apply consequence management. “The minister has expressed her expectations for all transport entities reporting to the department to strictly adhere to the PFMA and the legislative framework governing supply chain management processes,” he said.
In a letter we have seen, the whistleblower highlighted a lack of oversight by senior management, allowing certain officials to manipulate the tender process to benefit their associates. They added that the misconduct undermined the integrity of the bidding process and disrupted the operations of financially constrained emerging businesses.
“These enterprises, often financially constrained, have invested substantial sums in preparing bid submissions, costing up to R2 300 per document and memory stick. The stringent submission criteria, while acknowledged as necessary, have placed an undue burden on these entities,” the anonymous whistleblower said.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said the entity was handling the matter.
“The RTMC is dealing with the issue in terms of its policy, and initiatives are underway to address it as urgently as possible,” Zwane said.
“It will thus be inappropriate and mischievous to pre-empt and undermine processes that are already in motion. Above all, the principle of sub judice should apply.”
The whistleblower suggested conducting a lifestyle audit on RTMC officials involved in tender adjudication and questioned the rationale for re-advertising bids without providing reasons and for appointing friends without following due process.
The whistleblower cited several specific bids as examples of the ongoing issues.
For instance, RTMC repeatedly advertised bid for network connectivity amid allegations of collusion favouring certain companies over reputable companies such as Vodacom and MTN.
The entity also re-advertise bid for perishable goods three times, raising questions about transparency.
Additional examples included bid for Natis sites, bid for events, and another one for school refurbishment, all of which allegedly suffered from repeated re-advertisements and undue delays.
The person highlighted the negative impact on infrastructure and service delivery, such as vandalism at an affected school due to delayed refurbishment.
Additionally, the whistleblower pointed out specific bids allegedly awarded under dubious circumstances. They cited bid for accommodation and bid for courier services as examples of favouritism and unlawful benefits to officials. Bid for security guarding is another example of how long-term relationships influence contract awards, disadvantaging fair competition.
Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content
Can minister, also investigate the new trainee who went to the college during the eve of election what was the creteria and how did they leave the last stage of recruitment which was the medical check up and they went straight to college without medicals and how was the selection contacted as most of the people who managed to pass all the stage of selection process were not called but certainly there was a group which it was called and those who made it to the last stage of fingerprints and interview were not called and did not even receive any feedback regarding their status the only feedback they received it was after their last stage to wait for the sms and calls for medicals but those medications will be contacted after all the provinces are done with their assessment but even today there’s no any feedback from RTMC but people are at college as we speak can minister investigate and check what could’ve happen to our appointments I know the minister is the new one but hope she can help us to get the closure regarding what happen to our appointment.